Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the premier modality for evaluating brain tumors. The relatively small size of the brain along with the relative absence of motion makes high-resolution imaging routinely possible. Moreover, the well-known MRI behavior of white and gray matter and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) makes them ideal for optimizing contrast parameters. The paucity of air and fat reduces the artifacts often seen with body MRI. For these reasons, MRI of the brain has been the focus of most new developments in technology. Such developments are often introduced in MRI of the brain before they are attempted in other parts of the body. These natural advantages of MRI of the brain create an excellent platform for the study of brain tumors.

The advances in MRI technology of the brain can be divided into hardware, software, and image processing improvements. These advances combine to create rapid, high-resolution scans that provide unique biologic information. This chapter will review these recent advances.